Fig. 5

Changes MRI diffusion are coupled with aquaporin expression anomalies in ALS white matter. a Quantitative measurements from apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) spinal cord maps showing an increase in lower SC segments (dorsal and lumbar levels) in the ALS mice. b Progressive changes in aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression can be seen in the presymptomatic and symptomatic YFP, G93A-SOD1 mice. Scale bar = 1 mm. c Further analysis of SC white matter (WM) shows a significant increase in AQP4 expression in the presymptomatic ALS mice compared to control, mostly located in the extra- axonal compartment. (*** = p < 0.001). Nuclear counterstaining with DAPI (blue). Scale bar = 10 μm. Abbreviations: YFP, yellow fluorescent protein; P80, postnatal day 80 (Presymptomatic); P120, postnatal day 120 (Symptomatic)